Status

Specific progress since the launch of this site includes:

Surface

Some small surface fixes, particularly at the intersection of Herzberg and Carling, and on Carling just east of Herzberg. Completed in June, 2010.

Signage

Signage was improved in October, 2010. The following changes were made.

1. Westbound before train bridge

This do not pass bicycles sign was doubled in size, making it much clearer for drivers. The sign is not blocked by other signage, so really helps.

2. Eastbound before train bridge

Before	After

This do not pass bicycles sign was doubled in size, but it is not much better as it is still blocked by the 4.2m heigh sign. The chances of seeing a bicycle here are a lot greater than a tall truck, so it is not clear why the heigh limit sign needs to be so much more prominent.

3. Directional sign at Burke St.

Before	After

This new sign shows cyclists that there is a bicycle path down Burke St. It is a little vague as to where this goes, but does encourage cyclists to check it out. This is actually quite helpful to get cyclists away from this bridge.

4. Directional sign at the end of Burke St.

At the end of Burke St., there is a sign that shows that the bicycle route continues. It isn't very clear why this is necessary; cyclists will have identified the NCC path at this point.

5. Directional signage on the east side of the bridge

There is a new directional sign on the south side of Carling apposite the stoplights, to explain to cyclists they can get on the path. This isn't necessarily helpful, and perhaps unhelpful. For cyclists heading west, if they take this path, they will be forced to cross Carling further west after the bridge on Burke, at an unmarked crossing.

Detailed history

On May 17, 2010, the Citizens for Safe Cycling member on the Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee (RCAC) Tom Trottier presented the safety issues of this area to RCAC.

On August 18, 2010, the Roads and Cycling Advisory Committee passed the following motion:

That Transportation Committee recommend Council approve that the City:

1.         Ensure the paved shoulders of Carling Avenue from Moodie to Herzberg to be flat and continuous and kept in good repair;

2.         Add signage along Carling to suggest the alternative of the NCC Watts Creek path;

3.         Look into how to eliminate or replace the railway underpass with a wider one, or build tunnels for cyclists and walkers;

4.         Look into adding a crosswalk signal at Burke and Carling to allow cyclists and walkers to get to the Watts Creek path;

5.         Increase signage to warn cars to give way to cyclists;

6.         Install streetlights, especially at the underpass and at intersections;

7.         Consider other measures to keep the large number of commuting cyclists safer before there is a serious accident.

In late September 2010, Transportation Committee passed the motion.

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